Wire-stretcher.



PATBNTED MAR. s1, 1903.

s. L. HARRIS.

y WIRE STRETGHBR. APPLICATION FILED .TUNE 27, 1902. y

No MODEL.

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UNITED STATES ATENT FFICE.

SAMUEL L. HARRIS, OF PROCTOR, VERMONT.

WIRE-STRETGHER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. "724,284, dated March 31, 1903.

Application iiled J' une 27, 1902.

To @ZZ whom, it may concern: Y

Be it known that I, SAMUEL L HARRIs, a citizen of the United States, residing at Proc tor, in the county of Rutland and State of Vermont, have invented new and useful Improvements in Wire-Stretchers, of which the following is a specification..

This invention relates to wire-stretchers; and the primary object of the same is to provide a simple and effective device of this class having a structural organization which will render it convenient in application to opposite sides of posts and also facilitate stretching of the wire strands without liability of displacement of the device from its position.

The invention consists in the construction and arrangement of the several parts, which will be more fully hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure l is a perspective view of the wire-stretcher embodying the features of invention and shows the same in opposite position. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the improved device.

Similar numerals of reference are employed to indicate corresponding parts in the views.

The numeral l designates a holding barror support, having a reduced extremity 2 to form an elongated handle or grip, the proportions and dimensions of thebar or support 1 being capable of reversal, as may be found desirable.

Secured to the end ot the bar or support l, opposite the handle 2, is a cross-head 3, which is at right angles to said bar or support l and centrally intersects the end of the latter, so as to project equally above and below the same. On the ends of the cross-head are spike members 4, having opposite-reduced terminals '5 to adapt the improved stretcher to be operatively applied to opposite sides of posts or other devices over which wire is to be stretched. In the stretching operation the side edges of the cross-head 3 are engaged by the wire strands, the said head then serving as a brace to facilitate the stretching 'tension of the strands.

Rising from the bar or support 1 at a suitable distance from the cross-head 3 is an angular stationary jaw 6, with which the free Serial No. 113,478. (No model.)

end 7 of a clamping-lever 8, fulcrumed on the bar or support l, cooperates, the said lever 8 having a reduced extremity 9 to serve as a handle or grip. The free end 7 of the lever 8 and the adjacent face or side of the jaw 6 will be suitably formed with gripping-teeth to render the two parts electivein clamping the end of the wire strand disposed between them during the stretching operation. The lever 8 is movable in a horizontal plane from the bar or support l to clear the end 7 from the jaw 6 to permit a wire strand to be placed in operative relation to the said jaw, and also to bringsaid end 7 in clamping position against the extremity of the strand engaging the said jaw 6.

In the operation of the device either pair of reduced terminals of the spike members 4 are brought into engagement with a post over which the wire strand is to be stretched and secured, and the extremity of the said strand is caught and held between the jaw 6 and the free end 7 of the clamping-lever 8, the latter being held firmly by the operator parallel or substantially parallel with the bar or support 1. The operator then grasps the handle 2 and imparts turning movement in a horizontal plane relatively to the vertically-disposed cross-head 3, which serves as an axis to the entire device, which will cause the wire to be drawn taut, the fulcrum for such' movement being the reduced terminals of the'spike members in engagement with the post. As the cross-head 3 turns in relation to the post it will be moved away from the point on the latter at which it is desired to secure the wire strand, and said strand will move closer to the adjacent portion of the post. When the strand is fully stretched, it is secured by a staple or other means, and the stretcher is removed and successively applied to other posts for a similar operation.

It has been stated that the terminal of the strand is held between the jaw 6 and the free end 7 of the clamping-lever; but it will be understood that a strand may be engaged at intermediate points by the said parts with equal eectiveness in'perfrming the stretching operation. j

The improved device being simple inzconstruction can be manufactured at acomparatively small cost, and it Will be found eXceptionally useful for the purpose for which it has been devised.

The great advantage resident in the improved form of Wire-stretcher is the capability of using the same in reversed positions, which will afford great convenience in the erection of Wire fences.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is- A wire-stretcher, consisting of an elongated rigid support provided With Wire-clamping means horizontally disposed thereon, a flat cross-head centrally secured against one end of the support and rigidly held in a plane at right angles to the latter, the support and cross-head being of equal Width and the side edges of each coinciding, and metallic spike members rigidly secured against the ends of the cross-head and disposed in planes parallel with the opposite sides of the support and at a distance from the latter, the opposite terminals of each spike member being reduced to a point and projected beyond the side edges of l[he cross-head.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of tWo Witnesses.

SAMUEL L. HARRIS.

Witnesses:

WM. H. ELDRIDGE, MARY J. GILL. 

